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Our tour of Prince Edward Island and the Magdalen Islands is designed to compare the natural history, culture and the rich and varied seafaring history of these two Gulf of St. Lawrence islands.
On Prince Edward Island, we'll explore the rolling tapestry of red earth and green fields. We'll hike quiet trails looking for boreal chickadees, grey jays and other uncommon inhabitants of these park-like settings. We are never very far from the sea, and the shorelines consist of sandstone cliffs, estuaries and barrier dune systems sheltering salt-water bays and estuaries.
We'll take a ferry from Souris, PEI across the Gulf of St. Lawrence, to the Magdalen Islands. On the way, we'll watch for black-legged kittiwakes, northern gannets, Atlantic puffins, storm petrels and possibly minke and fin whales.
We'll walk the sand-dune trails, and explore the bogs, fens, and salt marshes in search of insectivorous plants and rare orchids. We'll observe uncommon roseate terns and endangered piping plovers that have been attracted to isolated beaches and dunes where they can find protected nesting. Our meanderings, in a 15-passenger window van, around the back roads from our base of comfortable country inns, will help us appreciate the unique island way of life. |
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| FACTS: |
| • | 11-day trip |
| • | Maximum 8 participants |
| • | Start and finish in Charlottetown, PEI |
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| HIGHLIGHTS: |
| • | Hiking quiet trails on PEI looking for Boreal chickadees, grey jays and other uncommon inhabitants |
| • | Taking a ferry across the Gulf of St. Lawrence to the Magdalen Islands, watching for black-legged kittiwakes, northern gannets, Atlantic puffins, storm petrels and possibly minke and fin whales |
| • | Walking the sand-dune trails, and exploring the bogs, fens, and salt marshes of the Magdalen Islands |
| • | Enjoying the French cuisine and fresh seafood of the region |
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| ACTIVITY LEVEL: |
| • | Easy to Moderate. While this is not a particularly strenuous trip and none of our hikes are particularly long or fast, you should bear in mind that walking on sand or rough sandstone is more difficult than on hard ground or pavement. A trekking pole for extra balance may be useful. |
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| ACCOMMODATIONS: |
| Shaw's Hotel |
| Motel des Iles |
| Best Western Hotel, Charlottetown |
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| ITINERARY IN BRIEF: |
| Day 1: |
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Arrive in Charlottetown, drive to Brackley Beach |
| Day 2 - 3: |
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Prince Edward Island |
| Day 4: |
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Ferry from PEI to Magdalen Islands |
| Day 5: |
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Explore the Archipelago |
| Day 6: |
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Ile du Havre-Aubert, Ile du Cap-aux-Meules |
| Day 7: |
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Gross Ile, Pointe-de-L'Est |
| Day 8: |
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Havre-aux-Maisons, Grande Entree |
| Day 9: |
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Ile d'Entree |
| Day 10: |
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Return ferry to PEI, Charlottetown |
| Day 11: |
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Depart Charlottetown |
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 Don is formerly a Secondary School Science Department Head who has had extensive experience as a nature tour leader. During his travels to many parts of the world, he has been able to hone his natural history interpretive skills. He has participated in many studies with the Ministry of Natural Resources, Canadian Wildlife Service and Bird Studies Canada and has also written for a number of publications. Don will be using his knowledge, experience, intuition and humour to ensure that everyone on this trip enjoys it to the fullest.
416-633-5666 / 1-800-387-1483
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